Antenna Thoughts

Once again proving his strength and persuasion as a negotiator, Bill Ham successful signed the band to a new recording contract with RCA records, reportedly worth $35 million. Whether this is a testimony to how well he can convince record executives, or an indication of how daft those in the recording industry can be, is undetermined. Nonetheless, the new contract proved to be both a positive, and a burden, for ZZ Top.

1993. The Top performs at the 90th Harley Davidson Anniversary. One of only a few performances the band would conduct that year, the show proved to be well above average. Featuring a number of rarities, as well as the last performances to date of classics such as "Arrested For Driving While Blind" it showed that ZZ were still on top of their game and could still shake 'em on down.

Having just committed a large sum of money RCA records were obviously interested in realizing a return on their investment. The band set to the task of working on a new album. But herein began the problem; what sound should the band pursue? "Recycler" had taken a beating from critic's, who panned what sounded to them like overused and overdone mid-eighties pop. The band did not want to continue the formula of the last three albums, but were unsure of chasing the "Tres Hombres" style as well. What emerged was unique. Clean tones, clean lines, more structured and complex guitar workings, and more emphasis on rock rather than blues. In the background, the distant background, are rumblings of a keyboard, a synthesizer, serving to flesh out and add fullness to the sound. Dusty referred to the soft spoken keyboard layers as "Seasoning..." at the time. The album, to the dedicated fan, proved fresh and intoxicating. To the casual fan, and the critics, it proved subpar.

The opener of Pincushion set the tone quickly. Pummeling and aggressive guitar, combined with rasp, full, deep vocals from Billy gave the track a maturity that suited the beginning of the album well. The band's fondness for the song is evident in it's continued live playing today. Next was "Breakaway", a very unique track for ZZ. Neither a ballad nor a blues, the track has proved to be an enigma in the band's catalogue. The only questionable issue was placing a slower track so early on the album, especially right after the powerful Pincushion (note that foreign markets featured a different track sequence, with "Breakaway" coming later in the set). "World of Swirl" proves to be a relatively simple exercise, but cranked loud the song convinces. "Fuzzbox Voodoo" and "Girl In a T-Shirt" beg for refining, the former being a routine riff and sing number, and the latter featuring some unimaginative guitar soloing.

In my opinion the next track is the best on the album, and one of the band's best songs ever. While lyrically weak (what ZZ song isn't) "Antenna Head" features some of the best guitar work ever done in the studio. With layered textures, clean crisp lines and full tones Billy conveys a renewed confidence, swagger and ego with his instrument of choice. Listen closely to the song, their are a number of things going on in the background all based on the guitar. With multiple changes in tempo and structure the outro solo proves to be an intoxicating and engrossing listen, culminating in a group of bluesy, sustained notes to meet the fadeout. Well done. The remaining tracks prove only to be adequate, pleasant to hear but rarely getting struck in the mind. The obligatory one blues track "Cover Your Rig", while conveying a good message, disappointments in it's subject matter and delivery. Overseas markets contained the bonus "Everything", which is an above average number but sounds out of place compared to the rest of the album.

To me "Antenna" is the last album where the band tried too hard to give the fans what the band thought they wanted. It seems forced, $35 million can create a lot of pressure to match your past successes. The next album "Rhythmeen" finally found the group making an album for themselves, which proved to be a needed remedy as it is a much more consistent, dirty and bluesy effort from the Top.

The record would prove to be the last Platinum (1million copies) seller for the band. The comparasion to the band's most recent effort is striking, "Mescalero" having sold only a little over 100 thousand. It would also be the group's last album to be released on vinyl (not all markets had vinyl copies, including America). I have come across a number of opportunities to buy the vinyl edition, but have always passed due to the steep prices being asked in exchange for the rarity.

If the album proved to be a disappointment, the accompaning live tour did not. The "Antenna" show would be the last large scale production from the group. Featuring telephone wires running throughout the arenas, an oversized replica of a vehicle's interior dash, mic'd in pre-recorded sequences and skits, and perhaps most pleasing a number of attractive women performing various dances, moves and choreography.

The set list for the shows would prove to be the most dramatic overhaul since 1983. Gone were the absolutes of "Manic Mechanic" and "Ten Foot Pole" (which has not returned since). No "Got Me Under Pressure" or "Tube Snake Boogie". 1994 was a time when the group still promoted their new albums live. The band began with three straight "Antenna" tracks; "World of Swirl", "Pincushion" and "Breakaway". The last of the three was performed extremely well, and was stretched out to over 6 minutes with long solos from Billy. They also included "Fuzzbox Voodoo", "Antenna Head", and "PCH". Very early shows featured "Cover Your Rig", another track stretched to over 6 minutes with help from Billy's guitar. The concerts were long and exciting, and left the attendee feeling satisfied, confident and awestruck at how much power the band still had.

The four year gap since "Recycler" was too long for some to wait, and for many of those that did wait the album would be a nail in the coffin; subsequent releases would not be purchased. The effort would cause the band to quickly fall from RCA's graces, and the quick decline into forgotten rock icons was hard to swallow. Thankfully the band has kept at it, and the three albums since "Antenna" have each been unique and exciting, pleasing the fans that will always be here.